Three former Raila Odinga allies have been nominated by President William Ruto to the Kenya Kwanza government as Chief Administrative Secretaries.
They include former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and former Kisumu Senator Fred Outa.
Kidero has been nominated to the giant Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, Gumbo to the Ministry of Roads and Transport while Outa has been handed the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The appointments appear as a calculated move by Ruto to weaken his long-time nemesis Raila Odinga in his backyard in Nyanza.
The appointments come barely three days after more than 30 leaders from the region led by CS Eliud Owalo met Ruto at State House and pledged to work with him to deliver development projects to the people of Nyanza.
"We have resolved to work with the government…we are not going to allow ourselves to be isolated from the rest of Kenyans," Kidero said, adding that time was ripe for Nyanza to embrace the government of the day.
"Nyanza must take its place among other regions in Kenya and be part of the country's development agenda,” Gumbo said.
The leaders ditched Raila immediately after Ruto was declared the winner of the August poll.
They have been leading a rebellion against the ODM leader in his home ground.
Their appointment comes at a time Raila is planning to upscale anti-government protests from Monday following the launch of the Movement for Defence of Democracy on Thursday last week.
Raila has termed Ruto's government as illegitimate and accused him of failing to lower the cost of living and institute electoral reforms in an open manner.
Ruto has, however, dismissed the call for mass action saying he will not be blackmailed through street protests.
Speaking when he met the leaders at State House, Ruto said his government will work with all leaders from across the political divide for purpose of transforming the economy.
"We believe this leadership model is the right approach for a stronger and more prosperous nation,” Ruto said.
